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SecureTech 2014 highlights Canadian developments in biometrics and surveillance

World-class speakers, decision-makers and influencers from the public safety, emergency management and security industries gathered this week in Ottawa, Canada, for the three-day SecureTech 2014 conference.

CADSI president Christyn Cianfarani noted that the conference covered issues ranging from first responder equipment and communications in municipalities, to national privacy, and from cyber attack prevention, to the management of the US-Canada border. “To our knowledge, no other conference or trade show program in Canada or internationally addresses these issues,” she said in a statement.

Among the speakers was Canada’s Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney who spoke about legislation (Bill C-44) which would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) with greater surveillance authority in Canada as well as internationally in order to track individuals who pose a threat to Canadians.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Joe Oliver explained the Border Integrity Technology Enhancement Project, which is a $92-million perimeter security project that spans more than 700 km of border between Canada and the U.S. and includes biometric technologies. It involves a web of video cameras, radar, ground sensors, thermal radiation detectors and licence plate readers.

As BiometricUpdate.com noted earlier this week, the recent shooting near Canada’s Parliament buildings in Ottawa set the stage for serious talks about the need for solutions to respond to emergencies and especially the threat of terrorism in Canada and beyond.